An international cruise ship with foreign tourists, mostly Germans, docked at four ports in the country and explored famous tourist destinations in the Philippines, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said MV Vasco Da Gamam owned by German cruise line Nicko Cruises, docked from Hong Kong on Jan. 6 to 10 with 650 tourists.
He said the visitors explored the country's various islands, including Manila's South Harbor, Coron and Puerto Princesa in Palawan, and Bohol, the Philippines' first UNESCO Global Geopark.
After a four-day tour in the country, the ship sailed for Indonesia and Australia.
Santiago assured that the organization is constantly building cruise terminals in well-known tourist destinations to improve cruise tourism in the country.
“Makikita niyo naman po smooth-sailing ang pagdaong ng mga cruise ships sa ating mga pantalan, bago dumating sa bansa may mga pre-arrival meeting po yan para masigurong walang aberya sa mga foreign national at maging sa mga Pilipinong sakay nito. Pagdating nila sa pantalan, sasalubungin sila ng modernong pasilidad at mga nakangiting personnel ng PPA (You can see how smoothly the cruise ships arrive at our docks; prior to arrival in the country, there are pre-arrival briefings to guarantee that there are no issues with foreign nationals or even Filipinos on board. When visitors get at the port, they'll be welcomed with contemporary amenities and friendly PPA staff),” Santiago said.